A StarNewsOnline Blog

All the news that's fit to chew in the Cape Fear region

Greenlands Farm Store, 668 Midway Road S.E. in Bolivia, is hosting Taste & Take Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. on, obviously, Saturday. Come in and pick your wines and beers for the month every first Saturday of the month and get discounts, too. There will be a wine consultant available to help you with selections, plus experts will present a tasting of select wines and a flight of beers. You can do wine or beer alone for $5, or… Read More »

‘Tis the season to be cooking? Of course it is, because this is the time when all those goodies from local farms are reaching their peak. Vom Fass, 3500 Oleander Drive in Wilmington’s Independence Mall, celebrates Spring in the Kitchen 6:30-8:30 p.m. April 9. Elizabeth Wescott Hewitt of Lizzy Lou’s Family Farm in Pender County will discuss the joys and challenges of local farming and teach attendees about her operation’s eggs from free-range chickens and what makes them differ from… Read More »

Let someone else do the cooking this weekend. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 600 Grace St. in downtown Wilmington, is serving up fried chicken meals 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. For an $8 donation, you’ll also get green beans or baked beans, potato salad, rolls and cake. Dine in or take it with you. The church will deliver five or more dinners; call 763-3858.

It’s that time of year again – the pick-your-own produce places are gearing up for another season of farm-grown treats. Lewis Nursery & Farms, 6509 Gordon Road in Wilmington, opens Friday. During the beginning of the season only pre-picked strawberries will be available, but as spring progresses you will be able to pick your own strawberries and blueberries. Homemade berry ice cream and biscuit cakes are also for sale. For more information, call 452-9659 or visit www.lewisfarms.com.

The Olive Café & Wine Bar, 1125-E Military Cutoff Road in The Forum, has kicked off its people-and-pooch Yappy Hour now that the weather is warmer. Bring your dog out to the patio 6-8 p.m. every Thursday until November for complimentary treats for the canines, plus food, beer and wine features available for people to purchase. Well-behaved dogs that have been spayed or neutered and are up to date on their vaccinations are welcome. The Olive asks that you do… Read More »

Fox & Hound, 920 Town Center Drive in Wilmington’s Mayfaire Town Center, is teaming up with Step Up For Soldiers to support veterans in a post-war environment. They will host a celebration 6-9 p.m. Thursday featuring a complimentary sampling of Fox & Hound’s signature dishes, including Greek Hummus, Drunken Chicken Tenders, Tavern Wings, Napa Spinach Salad and Black Forest Sliders. Pair that fare with featured cocktails, including Irish ‘Rita, Twisted Bitter, Strawberry Blonde and more for $4 each and draft… Read More »

A recent article I ran across on social media mentioned an astrologer who believes last Friday’s solar eclipse “ignites a major turning point and beginning into our lives.” She went on to say a new 19-year cycle is imminent, and many people could feel a “total system reboot” as a result. Whether or not you believe in astrology, if you’ve been looking to branch out and try new things, or maybe even learn a little something, now is a great… Read More »

Divine Wines, 6400 Carolina Beach Road in Masonboro Commons Shopping Center, is hosting an educational wine tasting class, Understanding Wines from South America: Part II – Chile, at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. Chile’s massive size creates a diverse climate and geography within its borders. As a result, the regions offer a range of various wine styles. David Koebley of The Country Vintner will walk through a selection of these wine regions while attendees taste eight examples of the wine styles produced… Read More »

The Food Truck Frolic returns for its third year noon-5 p.m. Sunday in Ogden Park, located on Ogden Park Drive near Gordon Road in Wilmington, near the playground. The event, which benefits the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County, offers the cuisine of Catch the Food Truck, Poor Piggy’s, La Bella Airosa, Vittles, P.T.’s Olde Fashioned Grille and Granny Niece’s Ice Cream as well as additional vendors Fermental and Noni Bacca. Admission is free. Bring your friends, family and a… Read More »

Looking for some free culinary guidance? Whole Foods Market, 3804 Oleander Drive in Wilmington, has a weekly How To Series 11 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Each session will include on-the-floor demonstrations, recipes, techniques and expertise to answer all your cooking questions. The series runs through April 11, and there will be a different topic each week based on customer feedback. This week, attendees will learn how to poach fish during a demonstration by the seafood department.

Greenlands Farm Store, 668 Midway Road S.E. in Bolivia, is offering its March Afternoon Tea 2-4 p.m. Friday. Bring some friends and your favorite tea cup to enjoy organic teas, homemade organic tea pastries and tea sandwiches made fresh on the farm while learning the art of making the perfect cup of tea. The full tea will include choices from Greenlands’ own tea line, The Tipping Cup, as well as insight about brewing that you can use at home. The… Read More »

LM Restaurants president Lou Moshakos announced plans Tuesday to replicate the success of his Hops Supply Co. with a second location in the former Bank of America building at 155 N. Front St. Moshakos acquired the property last May with the intent of opening a brewery in the space. Hops Supply Co. opened in late 2012 at 5400 Oleander Dr., and found a quick following thanks to a menu and bar program focused on upscale pub food and craft beers.… Read More »

If you’re a true foodie and you’re willing to travel to prove it, then you might want to claim one of the four tickets remaining for A Chef’s Life Overnight Trip & Tour, leaving March 24 from the Port City and returning the next day. Wilmington-based Totally Travel and Event Shuttle Service have put together two days of touring notable locations in and around Kinston that have been featured on the PBS series “A Chef’s Life” as well as other… Read More »

Remember back in December when you thought spring would never get here? The wait is over! Friday marks the date of the vernal equinox, otherwise known as the official start of the spring season. It’s time to get out and breathe in some fresh air after a long, cold winter of being cooped up indoors. If you’re looking to spread your wings at some out-of-the-ordinary events, the following week is for you. Whether you seek the casual, the upscale or… Read More »

I’ve always been something of a Lemonhead. And no, that doesn’t mean I’m into Evan Dando’s 1990s alt-rock act. What I mean is, I like it tangy at all times. Lemon meringue pie, lemon pudding, lemon bars, you name it. Unfortunately, one area that’s long come up short is the lemon soft drink category. Luckily, I recently came into a small cache of sodas from the Massachusetts bottler Spindrift, and am happy to report that its sparkling lemonade delivers the puckering tartness… Read More »

Along with warm weather and booming azaleas, spring typically brings in a fresh crop f restaurants. These two establishments will soon join the downtown dining scene. Beer Barrio, 34 N. Front St.: Husband and wife team of Stephen Durley and Hayley Jenson are bringing their New York City chops down south with this beer-centric, Mexican-inspired eatery occupying the former Dirty Harry’s space. Look for adventurous eats incorporating local brews from these skilled newcomers; Durley is a former contestant on the… Read More »

Treat yourself to the finer things in life by making plans now to attend a Veuve Clicquot Champagne Dinner at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Located inside the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, 301 N. Water St. in downtown Wilmington, the restaurant is offering five courses, each paired with a different Veuve Clicquot variety. The menu includes salmon tartare, chilled jumbo shrimp, lobster bisque, filet mignon and a pear and almond tart. Cost is $120; reserve your seat… Read More »

Eating right can be a challenge. Something good for you can quickly become a not-so-healthy option when you start saucing things up. Have you ever noticed how many ingredients are in store-bought dressings and marinades? A weekend class will teach you how to make your own so you add nourishment instead of additives and preservatives. Tidal Creek Co-op, 5329 Oleander Drive in Wilmington, is offering Daily Nourishment Class: Dressings and Marinades at 10 a.m. Saturday. This session, taught by the… Read More »

Are you raising a future chef? Or are you just looking for something fun you can do with your youngster? Vom Fass, 3500 Oleander Drive in Wilmington’s Independence Mall, is having its first Kids’ Night 6-8 p.m. March 18. The class will create goodies kids can learn to make on their own with Vom Fass ingredients. Children will learn to follow recipes and find out more about the products they will be using. The class, for kids 6-12, promises “lots… Read More »

Greenlands Farm Store, 668 Midway Road S.E. in Bolivia, is now serving beer and wine. Check out what they have to offer during a Grand Reveal of their selections 1-7 p.m. Saturday. The lineup will include more than 40 fine wines and 20 craft beers. Wine and beer tastings are $5 each or $10 for both and include petite pairings from Greenlands. Advance tickets are available; call 253-7934.

About This Blog

Howdy readers,

Welcome to the StarNews food blog – where we focus on the fine, not-so-fine and just plain funky eats in the Cape Fear region. We cover all sorts of edible tidbits: restaurant buzz, interesting ingredients (and how to use them), recipes, great deals and more.